All Episodes - Aston means business
A podcast from Aston Business School hosted by Journalist Steve Dyson. Steve will be interviewing some of the UK's top business academics every month.
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S7E4 - Aston University alumni runs charity helping homeless into jobs and accommodation
A former Aston University student is running a charity that is successfully ‘talent scouting’ homeless people to get them off the streets and into work. Christy Acton used lessons learned from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme at Aston University to set up Standing Tall. This charity provides employment opportunities to homeless people trying to turn their lives around. Mr Acton, the founder and chief executive of Standing Tall, was talking about his experiences in the latest episode of the ‘Aston means business' podcast, presented by journalist Steve Dyson. He said Standing Tall, which started in 2020 during Covid lockdown, had since helped almost a hundred people. And the success of the initiative, launched in Birmingham and now operating in six cities, is encapsulated by ‘Steve’, who was helped off the streets and into a job, and has now just got married. Mr Acton said he got the idea while managing a night shelter in Birmingham and seeing some people who were “ready for full-time work: “We knew a couple of businesses in the city and matched up some of the people and it went really well. They grabbed the opportunity and were able to get ready to get their own place. I thought this has got potential.” He said the charity, which also operates in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol, works with companies who have stable, full-time jobs available: “We then go and find the right person who has been through homelessness, who has the talent and the motivation to work hard.” Mr Acton says they have a member of staff in each city: “We call them talent scouts, and that’s entirely intentional because that’s what we do; we go and find the talent.” Once a homeless person is ready to start a full-time job, Standing Tall also places with a host, someone with a spare room in their home where they can live for six months until they are ready to get their own place. “We are being really careful to work with somebody for a period of time before we decide if one of our jobs is right for them. At the moment, 80 per cent of the people we are helping are in the same job one year later.” Mr Acton said what he learnt on the Aston University programme helped him build up Standing Tall: “Whilst we are a charity, we are also a trading business. We charge a placement fee for each person we match, which enables us to have financial independence.” Also interviewed in the podcast was Michael Lambe, managing director of family business M. Lambe Construction, which offers entry level positions to people matched by the charity. Tragically, Mr Lambe lost his younger brother, also named Christy, two years ago following long-term mental health issues. Mr Lambe said: “It gave us pause for thought about what was important in life, what the business really was for.” The result was the Christy Lambe Foundation which supports a number of local charities, including Standing Tall. “We’re an avid supporter because we have seen the impact it has on people’s lives. For me, it became clear very quickly that we have to do something positive with all the pain that we all felt. “Fundamentally, business is an under-utilised tool for social good and there are opportunities within any organisation to make a difference.” That is certainly true of ‘Steve’, who had been living on the streets for several months after splitting up with his wife. Mr Acton, who met him in 2021, added: “He used to be a plasterer by trade, so at the time we had a role at Lambe’s and matched him up. He moved in with a host for six months and was then able to get his own flat. “He is still at Lambe’s now and, last month, my wife and I were invited to his wedding, which was very special to see him so happy and leading a normal life.” More information about Standing Tall can be found at: https://www.standingtall.org.uk/
S7E3 - "Equality must become the norm, not just a box ticking exercise"
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) needs to become “the norm” in organisations to escape “disappointing” government criticism that it is a waste of time. That’s the guidance coming from the latest episode of ‘Aston means business’, a podcast from Aston University presented by journalist Steve Dyson. Prof Shivani Sharma, the new deputy dean of people, culture and inclusion at the university’s College of Business and Social Sciences, explained that EDI cultures must become “everybody’s business” to address the existing gender and ethnicity pay gaps. Responding to recent government criticisms of EDI schemes, Prof Sharma said: “Not enough investment has gone into these roles because, if we look at the history, it tells us that just relying on everybody to do the right thing doesn’t work.” Also interviewed in the podcast was Omar Rashid, a director of The HR Dept, a human resources franchise for Birmingham Central & Wolverhampton. Mr Rashid, who specialises in diversity and recruitment, said that government criticism of EDI initiatives was “disappointing”. But he acknowledged: “I understand where they’re coming from because, if it’s seen as a scheme, as something we’ve got to do, and it’s not done properly, then maybe it is a waste of time and a waste of money. It has to be seen as the norm.” He said people need to realise they live in a multicultural world, with a diverse workforce, supply chain and customers, and that if implemented properly the benefits of EDI are there. Mr Rashid, who is also president of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce in Birmingham, specialises in diversity and recruitment. He added: “There is opportunity there through different skills. “Each individual, whether it’s race, religion, will bring their own perspectives, their own unique skills, even people with a disability. It shouldn’t be seen as a barrier.” He said examples of a “tick box mentality” were where businesses might adopt Black History Month but do nothing for the other 11 months of the year, or provide a prayer room during Ramadan but not at any other time. He added: “When it’s tick box, it’s not worth it because you’ll have a business or someone who will do something for a short period of time. They half-heartedly did something without the conviction. Diversity shouldn’t be just a little bit here and there.” Prof Sharma went on to say that ‘world days’ such as International Women’s Day can act as a catalyst to focus attention on an issue. But she added: “It’s really important that why you’re doing that is clear, and that the strategy of raising awareness, to remove barriers to women, equitable inclusion in the workplace or in society, continues throughout the year.” She said that Aston University had recently gained an Athena Swan Gold award for promoting gender equality in higher education, but that the “scale” of the problem meant there was still lots more to achieve. She explained that proportions of women entering as students into higher education was really positive, as were degree completion rates. But she pointed to the fact that around 80 per cent of university vice chancellors identified as men, with low representations of ethnic minority women among professors. Professor Sharma added: “It will take a sustained effort to undo that over time.” She also praised the Inclusive Aston networking initiative at Aston University, with senior leaders mentoring colleagues of minority ethnic heritage. Mr Rashid said SMEs needed to look at the opportunities that a diverse workforce and culture can bring to their business. He added: “One SME business engaged with someone from an Asian background, wanted to tap into India, and guess what? He has the connections and they were able to open a branch in India.” Human Resource Management MSc 👉 https://tinyurl.com/467trt72 Human Resources and Business Management BSc (Hons) 👉 https://tinyurl.com/yr7cjsxw The Aston Edge 👉 http://tinyurl.com/3f6243na
S7E2 - Academic’s RAF background invaluable for supply chain course
A former RAF pilot and combat base commander is helping to provide a new generation of supply chain professionals for some of the world’s biggest companies. Richard Atkinson said his military background was very “relevant” to his current role as deputy director of the Supply Chain Leadership programme at Aston University. The former air commodore, who once flew Tornado and Phantom fighter jets and was station commander of RAF Leuchars in Scotland, appears in the latest episode of the Aston means business podcast series, presented by journalist Steve Dyson. Mr Atkinson, now a teaching fellow at Aston University, said that he was enjoying passing on his knowledge of how to tackle modern day logistics issues to ‘learner colleagues’, along with the experience of many other experts. He said: “When I was director of Air Operations in Afghanistan, where we were supporting the development of Afghanistan, the people I spoke to the most were our logisticians, understanding the novel supply chains required. “And even today, with troubles in the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and with the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, all of these conflicts depend upon supply chains, but they all impact supply chains as well. “That’s why our programme is so relevant to create the future generation of supply chain leaders.” Mr Atkinson explained that NATO’s role in Afghanistan meant military forces had to be adaptable every day in terms of supply chains. He said the big challenge was global warming which would “strategically impact migration and supply chains across the world”. “In future, we need to hit situations where we can deliver water, food and medicine where they are needed, at the right time, safely, securely and sustainably. So, we need our political leaders, our generals, our admirals, our air marshals, but also supply chain professionals to come up with these solutions, these alternative routes.” Mr Atkinson said Aston University was the UK’s leading faculty in supply chains with its BSc degree apprenticeship in Supply Chain Management. The programme started four years ago with four companies and now has 30 to 40 companies and hundreds of ‘learner colleagues’. Companies using the programme include pharmaceutical giant GSK, Coca-Cola, Jaguar Land Rover, DHL, and many other companies. Mr Atkinson highlighted how GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) had “wonderful scientists and chemists” to create life-changing drugs, such as the new Shingles vaccine, but that they equally needed “amazing logisticians to make sure they get to the right people in the right place at the right time”. Tim Buchanan, apprenticeship levy lead for GSK, was also interviewed as part of the podcast. He explained how GSK is based in 133 countries around the world, which means global issues impacted in terms of bringing raw materials in, processing them into the drugs that appear on shelves, and then moving them back out to markets. Mr Buchanan praised the programme at Aston University and said: “Getting the new generation of supply chain apprentices up to speed, having them gain the experience … is crucial to the way we go forward. “We continually know we’ve got to have a group of new people coming in with the skills that Aston University is providing.” The first few apprentices, who are already full-time employees, will complete the programme this year. Mr Buchanan said the three main reasons for going on the programme were academics from Aston University going on site to meet GSK line managers, the course having “matured” after listening to feedback and “very high enthusiasm” from the apprentices about the learning. He added: “We wouldn’t be returning if we didn’t think there was value in the programme.” Mr Atkinson agreed, pointing out that Aston University was “filling a gap in the market”, which was crucial with the UK having “teetered into a recession” and businesses struggling. He said: “Let us bring our talent to you to help develop your talent for the future solutions.”
S7E1 - Jack Miller: From playground entrepreneur to top Aston Martin career
A graduate of Aston University’s Executive MBA has explained how the programme helped his journey from selling Pokemon trading cards at primary school to a rising career with a luxury car-maker. Jack Miller, a manager at Warwickshire-based Aston Martin, who also combined an apprenticeship degree as part of his MBA, has already enjoyed one promotion while still on the programme, with another rise up the corporate ladder in the pipeline. He was talking about his experiences in the first episode of the latest ‘Aston means business' podcast series, presented by journalist Steve Dyson. The new series – the seventh since 2019 – focuses on how the university helps to prepare executives and businesses for Industry 4.0 with Aston University’s 2030 strategy front of mind. Mr Miller said: “I’ve always been very entrepreneurial, starting from the primary school playground where I was selling everything from Pokémon cards to Belgian waffles and Oreos. Cars is passion number two, something I was obsessed with. Car was my second word, after burger, so it was either Burger King or go into the car industry! “I remember when my mum got her first car it was the greatest thing that had ever happened. And I remember driving past the local Aston Martin garage and basically dribbling on the car window, thinking: ‘Wow, what are those? I wish I had one of those!’” Mr Miller, who already had a Batchelor’s degree in business management and entrepreneurship, said it had been his “dream” to do an MBA, specifically one that incorporated an apprenticeship element to make it more practical. He said the Executive MBA at Aston University had resulted in a “rounded knowledge improvement professionally” as well as benefits to his personal competence. “Personally, it’s amazing, and professionally, you get an incredible qualification out of this. And, frankly, career development. That was one of the big reasons why I did this. Already, during the programme, I managed to get a promotion and I think the next one is hopefully in the offing.” Mr Miller told how the ability to specialise and “dive into a topic” during the MBA was particularly important and gave him “immense enjoyment”. He said that doing the dissertation, the practical business problem-solving element of the programme, was “extremely powerful”. “Through the MBA, I realised that strategic thinking and business strategy were areas I was extremely passionate about and had a real keen interest in. My project gave me the ability to conduct interviews with all the senior leadership of the business, to understand the level of understanding with the strategic direction, and to highlight a range of recommendations.” Mr Miller said Aston Martin also benefitted during the MBA programme, through him designing a process to solve a particular business problem and then applying it to the workplace “that exact day”. Ian Cornelius, a teaching fellow and director of the executive MBA at Aston, was also interviewed on the podcast. He said the programme provided a “wonderful marriage of academic theoretical discipline …with real practical relevance in the real world of interest to, and value to, organisations. "Perhaps the unique feature, which we are very proud of, is the Aston Edge, which is our personal development and leadership programme module.” Mr Cornelius said the MBA was funded via the apprenticeship levy, held by the government, which “added an extra dimension to what we can do at Aston”. For anyone considering taking up an MBA, Mr Miller’s advice was forthright. “Pure and simple, do it,” he said. “The sooner you do it the better.” Aston MBA 👉 http://tinyurl.com/4xe84r2s The Aston Edge 👉 http://tinyurl.com/3f6243na Aston Business School 👉 http://tinyurl.com/52ua7xxp Jack Miller 👉 http://tinyurl.com/rm7j59t9 Ian Cornelius 👉 http://tinyurl.com/3nszf5uv Listen to Aston means business 👉 http://tinyurl.com/56w3h43v #TeamAston
S6E8 - New MSc Strategic Digital Marketing aims to produce future leaders in digital marketing
Francis Mulleady, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Digital Marketing at Aston University, explains how companies need to embrace social media like LinkedIn and TikTok to drive their businesses forward. The programme director of the university’s MSc Strategic Digital Marketing also explains how his course will produce future leaders in digital marketing.
S6E7 - The future is green - even for funerals
Frances Glover is co-owner of A Natural Undertaking, a Birmingham firm of funeral directors that recently benefitted from Aston University's 12-week Green Advantage course. Frances explains how electric hearses, cardboard coffins and a new process of 'cremation by water' are all part of a growing move towards environmentally friendly funerals. She says the Aston University course is ‘invaluable’ to help companies take the next green step.
S6E6 - The success stories behind Aston University’s MSc in Entrepreneurship
Jocelyne Fleming, the course director of Aston Business School's MSc in Entrepreneurship, recalls how one student created recyclable bamboo toothbrushes for hotels in a business created as part of his degree. She also explains how Aston University recently won Entrepreneurial University of the Year for its commitment to entrepreneurial activity, and advised that would-be students needed passion and an eye for business gaps.
S6E5 - MBA students at Aston Business School focused on their personal and professional development
Yasmin Ansari, Aston Business School's MBA careers consultant, explains how students benefit from a module called Aston Edge, focusing on career skills and behaviour science. She said MBA students are fully engaged, with “super ambitious and super driven” career aspirations, and that their courses focus on real-life applications and case-based learning.
S6E4 - How Aston Global Advantage creates competitive edge in job market
Dr Jude Preston, a lecturer in the Work and Organisation Department at Aston Business School, explains how the Aston Global Advantage module gives its Masters students a unique head start in landing their dream jobs.
S6E3 - Researchers at Aston University aiming to develop healthier workplaces
Dr Simon McCabe, a senior lecturer in behavioural science at Aston Business School, discusses how the Healthy Work Research Unit is developing insights and recommendations to industry and the public sector on how to create healthier workplaces.
S6E2 - Knowledge Transfer Partnership results in boost in productivity for Metal Assemblies
An automotive firm has experienced a boost in productivity without having to increase staff or buy new machines, thanks to a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Aston Business School. Iain Collis, managing director at Metal Assemblies, and Professor Ben Clegg, of Aston Business School, explain how the project has succeeded.
S6E1 - How executive leadership apprenticeships can drive businesses' talent development
Tomorrow’s boardroom superstars are emerging from executive leadership apprenticeships at Aston Business School. Discover more about the Masters-level programme from Terry Hodgetts, director of Corporate Client Solutions, and Dr Lloyd Parsons, director of the MBA and Chartered Management Institute programmes.
S5E8 - Sports marketing: the World Cup, plus other challenges and solutions
Sports marketing expert Michael Inpong, a new teaching fellow at Aston Business School, argues that while many huge sports events like the World Cup are sponsored, this form of marketing is ‘very weak’. He says future marketeers need to unleash the power of sport for their businesses – using storytelling to impact on society.
S5E7 - Pensions: improving financial planning for later life
Dr Hayley James, a senior research fellow in the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing at Aston Business School and an expert in pensions, discusses her ‘mission’ to improve financial planning for later life.
S5E6 - Understanding the UK's financial downturn and the world's economic crisis
Dr Dean Garratt, a senior teaching fellow and expert in economics at Aston University, says a recession is “pretty imminent” for the UK resulting in a “painful” year ahead. But he is optimistic that both inflation and interest rates will fall in the second half of next year.
S5E5 - Strikes: is Britain facing a winter of discontent?
Prof Kathy Daniels, an expert in employment law and employee relations at Aston University, discusses the recent increase in strike action and considers whether Britain is facing a 1970s-style 'winter of discontent'
S5E4 - The nine behavioural habits needed to become a trusted executive
Successful business leaders need to rely on the power of trust, rather than just trusting in power. Dr John Blakey, who researched the subject for his doctorate at Aston Business School, explains the nine behavioural habits needed to become a trusted executive in the latest episode of 'Aston means business'.
S5E3 - How small businesses are helping to solve the energy crisis
Simple energy savings by SMEs could close half the UK's power stations, according to Dr Mark Smith, business engagement manager on the Low Carbon SMEs project at Aston University. The latest episode of the 'Aston means business' podcast also interviewed Cassie Kirk-Gould, the owner of Sweetmeats Inc, about how her expanding fudge-making firm is completely plastic-free.
S5E2 - Taking staff wellbeing seriously can help drive business success
Taking staff wellbeing seriously can help drive business success. That's the message in the latest 'Aston means business' podcast from Marc Hornby, who co-founded hospitality group Caviar & Chips after taking an MBA at Aston Business School. The business, which survived Covid-19 and has since grown to employ 100 staff, has just won a national wellbeing award.
S5E1 - How rejection should be treated as a stepping stone to success
Rejection should be treated as a stepping stone to success, according to Dr Rushana Khusainova, a lecturer in marketing and sales at Aston Business School. She explains how entrepreneurs and business people should develop positive ‘self-talk’ as a vital mindset for dealing with rejection.
S4E8 - Distributed leadership and the trusted second in command
Mafia film and TV dramas can reveal the value of a trusted ‘second in command’ in business and organisations. That's one of the themes in a podcast from Dr Lloyd Parsons, interim director of MBA programmes at Aston Business School, who explains the power of 'shared and distributed leadership’ and underlines the importance of 'trust and delegation'.
S4E7 - Women in business
Women in business should consider themselves a strength, not a weakness. That's the message from Professor Helen Higson of Aston Business School, and Daniella Genas, an MBA graduate and successful entrepreneur, in a podcast episode created to celebrate International Women's Day.
S4E6 - Humble Leadership
Dr Xiaoshuang Lin, an expert in leadership at Aston Business School, explains how Gareth Southgate is a perfect example of 'humble leadership'. She says the England football manager’s humility, empathy and willingness to admit mistakes is what many businesses need, along with 'servant leaders', such as Mother Theresa. However, she warned that businesses will sometimes need tougher leaders as well.
S4E5 - Inspirational Team Coaching
Dr Uwe Napiersky and Dr Elinor Vettraino explain how ‘team leaders are the future’ as they plan the launch of a new course at Aston Business School. Inspirational Team Coaching will be run as a Postgraduate Certificate at the Centre for Innovation in Enterprise Education from this autumn.
S4E4 - Low Carbon SMEs
Prasanta Dey, professor of operations and information management at Aston Business School, explains how his Low Carbon SMEs project is set to save 6,000 tonnes of CO2– more than five times its initial target. Lee Cole, managing director of Paint 360, just one of the 165 companies involved, and Jamal Lea, project manager of Low Carbon SMEs, discuss details of the achievements to date.
S4E3 - The potential for 3D printing to disrupt traditional manufacturing
Dr Mark Prince, a senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at Aston University, explains how 3D printing provided a vital solution to a medical problem caused by COVID-19. Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Beltagui, a lecturer in operations and information management at Aston Business School, says ‘Imagination is the only limit’ for additive manufacturing’s future, which is already used to make hearing aids, dental crowns and hips.
S4E2 - The challenges women face as ‘later life’ entrepreneurs
Dr Isabella Moore, the chair of Comtec Translations who became an entrepreneur again aged 60, discusses the greater disadvantages that women in 'later life' face when it comes to setting up their own business. Businesswoman Merle Palmer also explains how she overcame a lack of confidence to launch her own company after redundancy.
S4E1 - Language capability and UK SME export success
Dr Geoff Parkes discusses new research by Aston Business School that proves how SMEs embracing language capabilities are 30% more successful at exporting. Rob Mannion, founder of e-commerce platform B2B.Store, says his business is now reaping benefits of languages investment, starting with its first overseas client in Mexico.
S3E8 - Hogarths Hotels
Helena Hogarth, owner of Hogarths Hotels, plans to bounce back from a 90% downturn during COVID-19 by switching from large corporate events to smaller weddings, staycations and spa offerings. Dr Rob Thomas, a teaching fellow in Marketing and Strategy at Aston, has been helping the group to rebrand and identify new target markets. The pandemic has devastated many businesses, but Dr Thomas says: “It’s a wonderful chance to revitalise who you are.”
S3E7 - Trafalgar Marquees
James Morris, managing director of Trafalgar Marquees, explains how he initially lost 90% of revenues in the lockdown but is now growing again after switching from corporate events to providing extra space for NHS COVID-19 testing centres and school classrooms. Mark Hart, professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston, praises the turnaround, and highlights the new government-backed Help to Grow: Management scheme.
S3E6 - Nomad HR and Recruitment
Amy Foster, founder of Nomad HR and Recruitment in Atherstone, Warwickshire, has launched a social enterprise to help find jobs for the young unemployed. She's already got six back into work, including a homeless youth. Nathalie Ormrod, local director of the UN's Principles for Responsible Management Education at Aston Business School, praises Ms Foster's “inspirational journey” as “heart-warming” and “courageous”.
S3E5 - NLT Electrical
Nathan Tromans, the founder of NLT Electrical, explains how a new marketing strategy has helped him revive his company's fortunes after its revenues were halved by COVID-19. Dr Rob Thomas, a teaching fellow in marketing and strategy at Aston Business School, praises Mr Tromans for his “exemplary” approach in developing a stronger market orientation, improving customer relationships and realigning NLT’s brand values.
S3E4 - Fun Fest
Sarah Beattie, owner of a full-time nursery and the Fun Fest holiday club franchises, explains how government finance helped her businesses survive COVID-19 and is now funding her launch of a new nursery franchise. Martin Potts, a senior lecturer in the Accounting department at Aston Business School, praised Sarah's “financial literacy” and explained how a “working capital cycle” can be used to monitor finances.
S3E3 - Centric HR
Sandra Berns, founder of Centric HR, explains how her revenues have tripled in the last year, partly as a result of an initial investment of free and low-cost advice to companies at the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown. Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, says this was a great example of how SMEs can invest to grow.
S3E2 - Integritax
Adnan Khalid, founder of Integritax Accountants, explains how his revenues doubled by using the latest digital accounting tools to help SMEs survive COVID-19. Matt Davies, of the Accounting Department at Aston Business School, says undergraduates are now using the latest Xero software on compulsory undergraduate accounting modules.
S3E1 - Smart Learner
Tommy Sandhu, founder and director of the Smart Learner driving school, explains how the business has continued to grow and now has a four-week waiting list, despite COVID-19. Dr Geoff Parkes of Aston Business School says it's crucial for SMEs to "be focused, listen to your customer, and look beyond the crisis".
S2E10 - Metal Assemblies
Iain Collis, managing director of Metal Assemblies, hopes a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) will drive better data management to increase the car parts firm's efficiencies and profits. Prof Ben Clegg, head of the Operations and Information Management Department, says Aston Business School will act as a change catalyst to help the company's productivity.
S2E9 - Composite Braiding
Steve Barbour, managing director of Composite Braiding, describes how angel investors helped his component company’s plans to double in size in the next couple of years, despite COVID-19. Angel investor Liz McKenzie said she funded the firm because Steve was “switched on, knew his numbers, was realistic, and had a determined glint in his eye”.
S2E8 - The Whisky Club
Amy Seton, owner of The Whisky Club in Birmingham, lost 95% of her revenues because of lockdown. She explains how a loan and small grant have helped her to invest in a new website and casks for online deliveries of bottle collections to customers across the UK. Prof Mark Hart of Aston Business School praises how Amy is keeping her brand alive and said: “Once you put your business on a website you are global."
S2E7 - Caviar and Chips
Marc Hornby and Jonathan Carter-Morris own specialist catering company Caviar and Chips and the 16th century Virgins and Castle pub in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Marc was first interviewed in episode 13 during lockdown. Marc explains how the pub has reopened and how they are looking after their wedding customers. Professor Mark Hart of Aston Business School says hospitality businesses need clear guidance from the government.
S2E6 - Special Kids Company
Sasha Radwan, the founder of the Special Kids Company, tells how focused online marketing has helped her special needs clothes business to grow despite COVID-19. Prof Mark Hart, of Aston Business School, says Sasha's company was able to adapt because she already had the right systems and people in place.
S2E5 - RWAD Project
Refugee businessman Osama Al Assaf quickly ‘pivoted’ from sports retail to the crafts sector during lockdown to cope with import issues and meet new demand. He also became an NHS volunteer. Dr Muhammed Al Mahameed, an accounting lecturer at Aston, explains how refugee entrepreneurs often react more quickly than many businesses to the pandemic because they're so used to facing crises.
S2E4 - Rugged Nature
Joe Poxon, who graduates with a Product Design and Management degree this summer, tells how winning £50,000-worth of advertising helped his start-up male grooming business adapt to the lockdown. Professor Kate Sugden, Deputy Dean at the School of Engineering & Applied Science, explains how their students are taught a range of practical skills in entrepreneurship.
S2E3 - Karim Supermarkets
Anwar Karim, of Karim Supermarkets in Lozells, Birmingham, explains how Asian convenience stores continued to serve communities throughout COVID-19, despite losing staff, friends and family. Professor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, said Asian retailers played a vital social role and were among the 'heroes' of the pandemic.
S2E2- Streetly Balti
Experienced curry house owner Shahab Uddin predicts up to 30% of Indian restaurants may struggle to reopen after COVID-19 because of social distancing rules. Professor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, agrees traditional cheap curry nights out will be over if venues cannot pack diners in. Prof Ram adds that the sector needs to invest and raise prices to realistic levels to survive.
S2E1 - Micro-Fresh
Byron Dixon, founder and chief executive of Micro-Fresh Ltd talks about their ‘fogging’ machine that can coat surfaces in places like health centres, shops and restaurants with its anti-bacterial agents. Mark Hart, professor of entrepreneurship and small business advises Byron on how to expand to a national and global scale.
S1E15 - Little Soap Company
Emma Heathcote-James, founder of Little Soap Company which produces organic and ethical soap products explains how she is dealing with an upsurge in demand. We also talk to Mark Hart, professor of entrepreneurship and small business about some of the operational challenges that small businesses are facing during the lockdown.
S1E14 - Green Sisters
Geeta Salhan, co-founder of Green Sisters, which makes homemade Indian snacks for people with dietary restrictions, explains how they're now providing full seven-day meal parcels for customers in isolation. We also talk to Paula Whitehouse, the director of Aston Centre for Growth, about how micro start-ups need more assistance from government.
S1E13 - Caviar and Chips
Marc Hornby, co-founder of wedding caterer Caviar & Chips, explains how they're working hard with all customers, venues and suppliers because in return they'll look after the business in the long term. We also talk to Dr Julius Stephan, a marketing lecturer at Aston Business School, about how consumers' buying behaviour changes during crises.
S1E12 - Colour Cubed Creative Communications
Simon Greenfield, the managing director of Colour Cubed Creative Communications, tells how his £1 million turnover business has been severely hit by the COVID-19 lockdown, and how he's been let down by insurers. We also hear from Mark Hart, professor of small business and entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, who's been researching the pandemic's impact on businesses.
S1E11 - Rising Stars Property Solutions
In this latest episode looking at the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs Steve talks to La’Toyah Lewis founder of Rising Stars Property Solutions CIC a third sector property management company and Paula Whitehouse Director of the Aston Centre for Growth about balancing financial and social sustainability.
S1E10 - Shakespeare Distillery
In this latest episode looking at the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs Steve talks to Peter Monks co-founder of Shakespeare Distillery and Mark Hart Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business about how businesses are adapting in the short term and the long term.
S1E9 - Miss Macaroon
In this special episode Steve talks to Rosie Ginday of Miss Macaroon a social enterprise business about how she is supporting the mental health and wellbeing of her staff during this crisis and Dr Wladislaw Rivkin an expert in leadership, wellbeing and employee resilience.
S1E8 - Koolmill
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs.
S1E7 - Synergy Organisational Solutions
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs.
S1E6 - Fun Fest Ltd
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs.
S1E5 - CircusMASH
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs.
S1E4 - How the future of manufacturing relies on servitization
This week Steve sits down with Ali Bigdeli a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Service Innovation in The Advanced Services Group at Aston Business School. His interests lie in the operational and organisational change brought about when businesses intend to introduce technological innovations to the market. His research at the Centre focuses on how servitization helps a business to bring its products to market, expand the scale of its operations and increase financial sustainability and the business model innovation that is required to enable this.
S1E3 - How happy and healthy staff increase success
This week Steve sits down with Wladislaw Rivkin a lecturer in work & organisational psychology. Wladislaw's research focuses on the interplay of work-related stressors, employee resilience, and leadership in predicting health, well-being, and performance at work. He also has vast experience as a practitioner who delivered several individual employee and leadership development programmes focusing on improving psychological health and well-being.
S1E2 - How to dismiss bad staff
This week Steve sits down with Kathy Daniels an expert with a long history in Human Resources. They discuss the process of dismissing bad staff with a view to how dismissal should often only be on the table when you've exhausted a number of other options.
S1E1 - What happens when the money runs out
In our first episode Steve sits down with Chris Umfreville an expert in the area of corporate insolvency. Chris is the contributing editor for Palmer's Company law and before joining Aston Chris practised as a solicitor with an international law firm, specialising in insolvency related advice to major UK and international clearing banks and multinational accountancy practices.
S1E0 - An introduction to Aston means business
A podcast from Aston Business School hosted by Journalist Steve Dyson. Steve will be interviewing some of the UK's top business academics every month at Aston around. In this pilot episode, Steve introduces the series and gives a brief overview of the first two episodes in this initial series of ten episodes.